Trolley frog



Q Jan. 6, 1942. F. H. RICHTERKES SING 22,268,962

TRQLLEY Fnoq Filed July 15, 194i 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I INVENTOR l\ FQAN/r H Q/CHTEQKESS/NG ATTORNEY Jan. 6,- 1942. F. H. RICHTERKESSING 2,268,962

TROLLEY FROG ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 6, 1942 TROLLEY FROG Frank H. Richterkessing, Louisville, Ky., assignor to Cheatham Electric Switching Device 00., Incorporated, Louisville, Ky., a corporation of Kentucky Application July 15,1941, Serial No. 402,503

6 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in electrically-operated switching-devices for guiding collectors along overhead trolley-conductors, and has particular reference to trolley frogs having electrically-operated movable-guides for directing the collectors either along the conductors of a main line, or from the main-line conductors onto the conductors of a turn-out.

One object of my invention is to provide an improved mechanism for operating the movable guides.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved toggle spring for biasing the movable guides to either of their operating positions, which toggle spring is not susceptible of remaining in a dead center or improper position.

A further object of myinvention is to provide an improved construction and relation of the operating parts of the mechanism and the devices engaging the trolley wire, so that the electrically-energized solenoids of the mechanism have greater electrical insulation, one from the other and from the trolley wire, than is otherwise afforded by the customary insulation pro-- vided on such solenoids. V

The advantages of these and other objects will be manifested as the following description is read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of my invention showing the electrically-operated apparatus adapted to actuate a movable guide 9 of a conventional trolley-frog 36, and showing the protective covering 31 removed;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of Fig. 1 showing the electrically-operated apparatus partially in section along line 21 of Fig. 1, and

showing the protective covering 3'! installed;

down in the insulation of the operating coils or r solenoids.

Practical considerations, determined by actual experiences with the construction and operation of overhead line-materials, have established cast metallic body members as the standard construction for conventional trolley frogs, crossovers, etc.

Therefore, in providing such frogs, crossovers,

etc. with movable guides, and an electricallyoperated mechanism for operating such guides, the matter of providing suilicient electrical insulation between the operating solenoids and the cast metallic body members has become an important consideration.

In the past, only secondary consideration was given to'the mounting of the electrically-operated mechanism upon the cast metallic frog body, in as much as the electrical insulation of the solenoids, or operating coils, was depended upon entirely to provide the required electrical insulation between the solenoids and the metallic frog body.

However, experience has shown that the best practical insulation obtainable for such solenoids is marginal, and insuflicient to assure satisfactory operation under humid atmospheric conditions, especially in territories in the vicinity of bodies of salt water.

Accordingly, my invention has reference to improvements in mounting the electrically-operated mechanism upon the metallic frog body, and also improvements in the construction of the mechanical connection between the solenoids and the movable guide, so as to provide a constructio'n and relation of parts aiiording greater electrical insulation between the vital parts.

'Io emphasis the importance of this consideration it is pointed out that devices of this invention are used on 600 volt D. C. trolley conductors capable of delivering high amperages as required in the propulsion of vehicles operating from such conductors;

Accordingly, inasmuch as the metallic frog body is electrically connected to the conductor with which it is associated, and one terminal of each'solenoid is connected to the other conductor of the 600 volt source of power, it is evident that a break-down in the electrical insulation between the solenoid and the frog body will provide a complete destruction of the mechanism by reason of the extremely heavy current that will flow until the circuit between the conductors is fused open. s I v Thus, with this consideration in mind, reference is made to the drawings in which the numeral 35- designates a cast metallic frog body oi conventional construction, and the numeral 9 designates a movable guide or tongue having a cylindrical shank 9A that is pivotally mounted in a boss Ii] carried by the frog body 36.

With reference to Figure 1, it will be observed that the movable guide 9 is provided with two spaced runners extending substantially parallel one with the other and laterally from the shank or shaft 9A. In'this respect it is to be understood that the runners of guide .9 are connected by cross bars adjacent the respective ends of same, so that each runner rotates simultaneously about the axis of shank 9A in accordance with the rotation of the shank.

With further reference to Fig. 2, it will be observed that the frog body 36 is provided with stationary runners 6 and I, which runners are connected to the respective main-line conductors, and a stationary runner 8 that is connected to the conductor for the turn-out.

Accordingly, it will be apparent that, with the movable guide 9 operated to the position shown in Fig. 1, a current collector is directed from the main-line runner 6 to the turn-out runner 8. Likewise, with the movable guide 9 rotated into a reverse position, the collector is directed from the main-line runner 6 onto the main-line runner I.

To provide the required rotation of shank 9A, an electrically-operated mechanism is mounted upon the frog body 36 and connected to the shaft 9A via an arm I8.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the aforesaid mechanism is mounted upon a plate I I of insulating material, which plate is secured to the frog body via screws HA.

The arm I8 is adjustably secured to the shank SA by means of a bolt 23, which arm extends laterally outwardly and upwardly from the shank 9A.

As shown in Fig. 2, the free-end of arm I8 is laterally bifurcated, and the prongs of the bifurcation are spread apart to define an eye for the reception of an operating plunger or link IS extending transversely of the arm I8.

A toggle pin IBA is fixedly secured to the free ends of the prongs of the bifurcation, which pin extends substantially vertically between the prongs for the reception of the slotted end 34A of the spring plunger 34.

With reference to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, it will be observed that the spring plunger 34 is slidably mounted in the end of a spring cradle 32, which cradle is provided with a pair of aligned knifeedges or V-shaped fulcrums 3I.

A spring cup 35 is mounted upon the plunger 34, and a compression spring 33 reacts between the cup 35 and recess 32A formed in the spring cradle 32.

A cotter pin is secured to the free end of plunger 34, which cotter pin serves to retain the toggle-spring assembly intact, when the same is removed from the mechanism. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the cotter pin 26 does not function during the operation of the togglespring assembly on the mechanism.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2 it will be observed that a pair of toggle-plates 25 are mounted upon the insulating plate II by means of bolts 28 and nuts 29, and retained in spaced relation, one above and one below the bifurcated end of arm I8, by means of tubular spacers 24 and 21.

Each of the toggle plates 25 are provided with V notches 30 forming fulcrums for the respective knife edges 3I, and, as shown in Fig. l, the toggle pin I8A moves along the dot-dash line 38, which line intersects the apex of the V notches 30. I

Accordingly, it will be apparent that, when the toggle pin I8A passes substantially the apex of the V notches 30, the cradle 32 swings rapidly into a reverse position by reason of the toggle pin I8A moving the axis of the spring plunger 34 past the fulcrum of the knife-edges 3I.

Thus, as the arm I8 passes substantially the midpoint of its rotational movement, the togglespring assembly reverses its position to retain the arm I8 in a corresponding reversed position.

In this respect, it is to be understood that the vertical end edges of spring cradle 32 engage the sides of tubular spacers 24, and thus limit the movement of the toggle spring assembly about its knife edge fulcrum.

The plunger IS, that extends laterally of the arm I8, is provided with magnetic end pieces 2| and 22, which end pieces are fixedly connected by means of a center piece ISA of insulating material.

The center piece ISA is pivotally connected to arm I8 by means of pin 20, and, as shown in Fig. 2, the prongs of the bifurcated end of the arm I8 are spaced outwardly from the sides of the center piece ISA, thus accommodating vertical variations in the alignment of the arm I8 relative to the plunger I9, and providing the maximum surface distance along the center piece ISA between the pin 20 and magnetic end pieces 2I and 22.

Accordingly, it is to be observed that each of the magnetic end pieces are electrically insulated one from the other and from the arm I8.

Solenoids I3 and I4 are fixedly mounted upon the insulating plate I I, and in operating relation with their respective plunger end pieces 2I and 22. Each solenoid mounting consists of a cradle I6, and a coil strap I5 encircling the solenoid and secured to the cradle I6 by means of screws II. In this respect, it is to be understood that each cradle I6 is fixedly secured to the insulating plate II and thus insulated from the frog body 36.

In Fig. 1 the solenoid I1 is shown in section and it will be observed that the solenoid is provided with insulating coil heads 43, an insulating outer-shell 3S, coil winding 40, insulating center-tube 42 and a non-magnetic tube 4| within which the plunger end-piece 22 reciprocates. The tube M is preferably brass, and has its ends expanded to secure the solenoid parts together, and it is to be understood that solenoid I3 is similarly constructed.

In as much as a current collector travels upon the runners of guide 9 in moving from the fixed runner 6 to either runner 1 or 8, a flexible connection I2 is placed in shunt with the pivotal mounting of shank 9A in the boss I0, which connector is secured to the shank SA and frog body 36 by means of screws I2A.

From the foregoing it will be observed that the insulating plate II and insulating center-piece ISA serve to increase the electrical insulation between the solenoid, and between each solenoid and the frog body 36, which increased insulation has practically eliminated the difiiculties encountered in earlier mechanisms.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A trolley device comprising a body member of current-conducting material having a plurality of longitudinally-spaced runners for guiding a current collector onto and oil of the said body member; a guide member of currentconducting material movably mounted upon the said body member, and in the space between the longitudinally spaced runners, for guiding a collector from one runner to the other as determined by the position of the said guide member relative to the said runners; a supporting plate of insulating material mounted upon the said body member; electro-magnetic means mounted upon the said plate and electrically insulated from the said current-conducting body member by means of said plate; a connecting member operatively connecting the said guide member and the said electro-magnetic means for posisaid plate; a magnetic plunger operatively asso-v tioning the said guide member as determined by the operation of the said electro-magnetic means; and insulating means, operatively associated with the said connecting member, for electrically insulating the said electro-magnetic means from the said guide member.

2. A trolley device comprising a body member of current conducting material having a plurality of longitudinally spaced runners for guiding a current collector onto and oil of the said body member; a guide member of current-conducting material movably mounted upon the said body member, and in the space between the longitudinally spaced runners, for guiding the collector from one runner to another as determined by the position of the said guide member relative to the said runners; a supporting plate of insulating material mounted upon the said body member; a pair of solenoids mounted upon the said plate in longitudinally spaced relation relative one to the other, and electrically insulated one from the other and from the said body member by means of said plate; a magnetic plunger operatively associated with each solenoid; a connecting member of insulating material operatively connecting the said plungers, and electrically insulating the said plungers one from the other; and means operatively connecting the said connecting member and th said guide member for positioning the said guide member as determined by the operation of the said plungers.

3. A trolley device comprising a body member of current-conducting material having a plurality of spaced runners for guiding a collector onto and off of the said body member; a guide member of current-conducting material movably mounted upon the said body member and operatively associated with the said runners for guiding a collector from one runner to the other as determined by the position of the guide member relative to the said runners; a plate of insulating material mounted upon the said body member; a pair of solenoids mounted upon the said plate in longitudinally spaced relation relative one to the other, and electrically insulated one from the other and from the said body member by means of said plate; a magnetic plunger operatively associated with each solenoid; a connecting member of insulating material operatively connecting the said plungers, and electrically insulating the plungers one from the other; and means secured to the said guide member and operatively engaging the said connecting member substantially intermediate the said plunger connections, for positioning the said guide member as determined by the operation of the plungers, and for electrically insulating the said plungers from the guide member by means of said connecting member.

4. A trolley device comprising a body member of current-conducting material having a plurality of longitudinally spaced runners for guiding a current collector onto and off of the said body member; a guide member of current conducting material disposed longitudinally in the space between the. said runners, the said guide member having a shaft extending substantially vertically therefrom and pivotally mounted upon the said body member; a plate of insulating material mounted upon the said body member; a pair of solenoids mounted upon the said plate in longitudinally spaced relation, relative one to the other, and electrically insulated one from the other and from the body member by means of ciated with each solenoid; a connecting member of insulating material operatively connecting the said plungers, and electrically insulating the plungers one from the other; and an arm fixedly secured to the said shaft, and operatively engaging the said connecting member intermediate the plunger connections, thereby to electrically insulate the said plungers from the said guide member.

5, A trolley device comprising a body member of current-conducting material having a plurality of spaced runners for guiding a current collector onto and 01f of the said body member; a guide member of current conducting material operatively associated with the said runners for guiding a collector from one runner to the other as determined by the positionvof the guide member relative to the said runners, the said guide member having a shaft extending substantially vertically therefrom and pivotally mounted upon the said body member; a plate of insulating material mounted upon the said body member and extending transversely of the said shaft; an arm of current conducting material fixedly secured to the said shaft and extending laterally outwardly from the said shaft above the said plate; a pair of magnet coils mounted upon the said, plate in longitudinally spaced relation, relative one to the other, and upon opposite sides of the said arm; a magnetic member operatively associated with each magnet coil; a connecting member of insulating material operatively connecting the said plungers, and electrically insulating the plungers one from the other; and means operatively connecting the said connecting member and the said arm, for positioning the guide member as determined by the operation of the magnetic members, and to thereby electrically insulate the magnetic members from the said guide member.

6. A trolley device comprising a body member having a plurality of longitudinally spaced runners for guiding a current collector into and off of the said body member; a guide member operatively associated with the said runners for guiding a current collector from one runner to another as determined by the position of the guide member relative to the said runners, the said guide member having a shaft extending substantially vertically therefrom and pivotally mounted upon the said body member; an arm fixedly secured to the said shaft and extending laterally outwardly from the shaft above the said body member; a pair of solenoids mounted upon the said body member in longitudinally spaced relation relative one to the other, and upon opposite sides of the said arm; a plunger operatively associated with each of the said solenoids and pivotally secured to the said arm for positioning the said guide member as determined by the operation of the said solenoids; a pair of bearing plates mounted upon the said body member in vertically spaced relation and upon opposite sides of the said arm; a U-shaped spring-cradle straddling the free end of the said arm, and having out-turned ends pivotally secured in corresponding bearing plates; a spring operatively associated with the said cradle and said arm, for moving the cradle in toggle relation relative to the said arm; and means secured to the said body member, and engaged by the said cradle in its operated positions, for limiting the movement of the said cradle.

FRANK H. RICHTERKESSING. 

